Recommendation for the Council, for the Commission and for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region

Tabled by Jonas Sjöstedt, Hanna Gedin

Added: Ya. whereas since the entry into force of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on 1 August 2020, trade in goods between the EU and Viet Nam has increased significantly, but in a highly unbalanced manner, with the EU’s trade deficit widening from EUR 23.4 billion in 2019 to EUR 42.5 billion in 2024; whereas this increase in trade has not been matched by convincing progress in labour rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular as regards independent trade union rights; whereas Viet Nam has failed to ratify a key labour rights convention that would allow for independent trade unions to register and operate freely, despite pledging to do so by the end of 2023, and has not taken steps to uphold other treaties it has already joined; whereas these shortcomings amount to violations of the EVFTA;

Wording as published by the EP, in English. PE783.394